JUST OFF  THE  COAST  TO THE  BALTIC SEA 
    THERE'S A FRESHWATER POND, SECLUDED   
 AMONG ASHEN AND JUNIPER. A  CLEFT IN THE 
  LIMESTONE BEDROCK, SHARP-CUT FROM THE   
    SURROUNDING PLAINS, A NINETY DEGREE   
 DROP DOWN,  DOWN, TO  THE MIDNIGHT-BLACK 
                  WATER.                  
                                          
                          
                                  
     FAIRIES LIVE HERE.     
                                  
                          
                                          
 THEY  SPEAK TO  THE SLOANE,  CARESS  IT, 
 URGE  IT TO  GROW THICKER, TANGLED, WITH 
 LONGER AND SHARPER THORNS.  THEY TELL IT 
 TO  STAY  JUST BELOW THE  GRASS, SO THAT 
 THE  ANIMALS  WHAT  COME  TO  DRINK  THE 
 WATER  CANNOT  SEE  IT  BEFORE  IT DRAWS 
 THEIR  BLOOD.  CLOSER  TO  THE POND, THE 
 SLOANE CAN  GROW  TALLER, BEING  ABLE TO 
        HIDE ALSO IN THE JUNIPER.         
                                          
 THE FAIRIES WILL BECKON THE  ANIMALS  TO 
 PUSH  FORWARD,  TELL  THEM  THAT THEY'RE 
 ALMOST  AT  THE  WATER,  THAT  THEY  MAY 
 DRINK  SOON. AND THEY  WILL  TUG ON  THE 
 SLOANE TO  MAKE SURE THAT THE THORNS CUT 
 DEEP. WHEN THEY  FINALLY  FIND THE  PATH 
 DOWN  BETWEEN THE ROCKS, AWAY  FROM  THE 
 BUSHWORK AND INTO  THE  CLEFT,  THEY ARE 
 BLEEDING  FROM  A  THOUSAND  WOUNDS.  AS 
 THEY  DRINK FROM  THE DARK  WATER, IT IS 
 IN  TURN  DRINKING  THE  ANIMALS  BLOOD. 
                                          
 THE  CIRCLE IS  COMPLETE,  THE  CONTRACT 
 CARRIED OUT;  THE ANIMAL IS ABANDONED TO 
 FIND  ITS OWN WAY BACK. THE BUSHES ROOTS 
 DRINK THE  NUTRUTIOUS WATER. THE FAIRIES 
          DANCE IN THE SUNBEAMS.